Darien honors military's commitment

Megan Spicer

Updated 9:18 am, Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Joe Gibaldi of the U.S. Navy was the speaker at the Memorial Day Ceremony in the Spring Grove Cemetery on Monday, May 26.
Photo: Megan Spicer

Joe Gibaldi of the U.S. Navy was the speaker at the Memorial Day...

The Darien YMCA gymnastics team showed off their skills while marching down the Post Road for the Memorial Day parade on Monday, May 26.
Photo: Megan Spicer

The Darien YMCA gymnastics team showed off their skills while...

The Darien Fire Department and Auxiliary waved to the parade spectators on Monday, May 26 during the Memorial Day parade.
Photo: Megan Spicer

The Darien Fire Department and Auxiliary waved to the parade...

Children clapped for the parade precession during the Memorial Day parade in Darien on Monday, May 26.
Photo: Megan Spicer

Children clapped for the parade precession during the Memorial Day...

Some of the Girl Scouts marching in the Memorial Day parade on Monday, May 26 got excited for the dogs that were sitting along the parade route.
Photo: Megan Spicer

Some of the Girl Scouts marching in the Memorial Day parade on...

Children sat with their parents along the Memorial Day parade route on Monday, May 26 in Darien.
Photo: Megan Spicer

Children sat with their parents along the Memorial Day parade route...

The Darien chapters of the Boy Scouts of America marched down the Post Road for the Memorial Day parade on Monday, May 26.
Photo: Megan Spicer

The Darien chapters of the Boy Scouts of America marched down the...

The Darien Arts Center marched with large puppets during the Memorial Day parade on Monday, May 26.
Photo: Megan Spicer

The Darien Arts Center marched with large puppets during the...

Members of the Noroton Fire Department stood along the parade route while bagpipers played at the end of the Memorial Day parade on Monday, May 26.
Photo: Megan Spicer

Members of the Noroton Fire Department stood along the parade route...

Bagpipers played during the Memorial Day parade on Monday, May 26.
Photo: Megan Spicer

Bagpipers played during the Memorial Day parade on Monday, May 26.

Members of the Noroton Fire Department stood along the parade route while bagpipers played at the end of the Memorial Day parade on Monday, May 26.
Photo: Megan Spicer

Members of the Noroton Fire Department stood along the parade route...

Bagpipers marched in front of the Noroton Fire Department during the Memorial Day parade on Monday, May 26.
Photo: Megan Spicer

Bagpipers marched in front of the Noroton Fire Department during...

A cub scout stood along the parade route to watch the Memorial Day parade on Monday, May 26 after marching in it.
Photo: Megan Spicer

A cub scout stood along the parade route to watch the Memorial Day...

Selectman Susan Marks, from left, Grand Marshal Walter McCurdy, and First Selectman Jayme Stevenson wave and salute to those passing the reviewing stand during the Memorial Day parade on Monday, May 26.
Photo: Megan Spicer

Parade participants waved American flags as they made their way down the Post Road during the Memorial Day parade on Monday, May 26.
Photo: Megan Spicer

Parade participants waved American flags as they made their way...

Members of Person to Person marched down the Post Road during the Memorial Day parade on Monday, May 26.
Photo: Megan Spicer

Members of Person to Person marched down the Post Road during the...

Grand Marshal Walter McCurdy, at left, led the Pledge of Allegiance next to Monuments and Ceremonies Commission Chairman Phil Kraft during the Memorial Day ceremony in the Spring Grove Cemetery on Monday, May 26.
Photo: Megan Spicer

Grand Marshal Walter McCurdy, at left, led the Pledge of Allegiance...

Police Captain Don Anderson saluted the flag during the Memorial Day Ceremony in the Spring Grove Cemetery on Monday, May 26.
Photo: Megan Spicer

Police Captain Don Anderson saluted the flag during the Memorial...

Gene Coyle, at left, and Bob Riith sat in the front for the Memorial Day ceremony in the Spring Grove Cemetery on Monday, May 26.
Photo: Megan Spicer

Gene Coyle, at left, and Bob Riith sat in the front for the...

First Selectman Jayme Stevenson read the names of the Darien men who died in past wars during the Memorial Day ceremony in the Spring Grove Cemetery on Monday, May 26.
Photo: Megan Spicer

First Selectman Jayme Stevenson read the names of the Darien men...

Selecmen Kip Hall, from left, Reilly Tierney, Gerald Nielsen, Susan Marks and First Selectman Jayme Stevenson stand for the Pledge of Alliegance during the Memorial Day ceremony on Monday, May 26.
Photo: Megan Spicer

Members of the Darien VFW Honor Guard fire a military salute during the Memorial Day ceremony on Monday, May 26.
Photo: Megan Spicer

Members of the Darien VFW Honor Guard fire a military salute during...

Anthony Montimurro of the Darien VFW and Buglers Across America played taps at the end of the Memorial Day ceremony on Monday, May 26 .
Photo: Megan Spicer

Anthony Montimurro of the Darien VFW and Buglers Across America...

Two veterans bowed their heads in prayer while Msgr. Frank McGrath of the St. John Roman Catholic Church lead the prayer of benediction at the end of the Memorial Day parade on Monday, May 26.
Photo: Megan Spicer

But, after recently visiting the Museum of American History in Washington, D.C., and seeing the massive tattered flag that endured the Battle of Fort McHenry in the War of 1812, Gibaldi knows his favorite song is the national anthem -- the Star-Spangled Banner written by Francis Scott Key during that same battle.

Gibaldi, the speaker at the Memorial Day ceremony in the Spring Grove Cemetery Monday, said he gets a lump in his throat each time he listens to the patriotic ballad.

"For many of our fallen heroes, there many not have been someone else to do that mission or take that action at that moment so they did it and gave their last full measure of devotion," Gibaldi said. "We owe them our gratitude for giving their life in an effort to protect ours and to protect the freedom their family and friends are fortunate enough to enjoy."

It was deja vu for parade-goers and marchers, as this year's weather was identical to last year's: Wild and wicked rains that dissipated to make way for the clear blue skies and warm temperatures.

Prior to the ceremony in the cemetery, the Memorial Day parade drew onlookers who lined the Post Road to wave and cheer for those who followed the route from the Goodwives River shopping plaza to the end.

Military personnel and town emergency responders and organizations proudly walked down the road.

During his address to the roughly 150 people who gathered for the ceremony, Gibaldi quoted the nation's second president, John Adams: "There are only two creatures of value on the face of the Earth: those with the commitment and those who require the commitment of others."

"The vast majority of our nation falls into that second category: relying on the commitment of others so we thank those people that made the commitment for so many of us," Gibaldi said. "So looking forward we should honor anyone who makes the choice to serve and again makes that commitment to serve for us. If any man or woman decides to join the military after high school rather than go to college, I would ask that we congratulate them warmly and thank them for choosing that path. They have chosen to take on that commitment for the majority of us who need that commitment."